Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-13
tcorre,pondeneo Of tho Richmond Di.putcb.I


of the public treasury under the policy
and mauaeemcnto Of the Democrlticpar-
tv. He said twas not true in any respect
that the Supreme Court of the United
States had declared the various acts of
the several Legislatures unconstitutlon-
IL. The Supreme Court had said that
the act requiring the tax on license to
be paid III gold or silver Was uncon5tj-
tutional, bat the keadjustcr Legislature
had passed just such an act. All the
trouble with reference t. the debt
question grew ont Of Tie fact that the
supreme Court had pronounced the act
Of the 2rth of January, 1882, known
as Coupon-Killcr No. ,, invalid, anl
every one at all familiar with the sub
Jet is well aware that this decision vas
not at al affected by any Of the acts
passed by Democratic Legislatures.
FEDERAL POLITICS.
Judge Staples next devoted himself
to tn, discussion OF Federal politics
The question, as hc said. assumed great
importance. he discussed the Blair
bill, the internal revenue, the DISPOSE
ton Of the surplus in the public trea-
sury, the public lands, and the general
policy Of Mr. Clevcland's admlnistra-
ton The leading Republicans Of the
United States Senate opposed the Blair
bill. According to Mr. Riddleberger
General Malone himself was opposed
10 the bill until he saw its popularity
among the people Of Virginia.
CURIOUS FACT.
It is a curious fact, said Judge Sta
pies, that whilst General Malone pro-
fcssed to be on ardent supporter of the
Tbir bill bis avowcd choice for the
presidency is John Sherman, who is
the most ayowed and determined OPP
poncut Of the bill in the United States
senate. The speaker further showed
that when the tax on tobacco had been
reduced from sixteen to eight cents it
Was done 10y Democratic votes. 1t WAS
not true that the reduction was made
On the motion IF General Malone.
Isis motion to reduce the tax Ia July,
1882, received but three Republican
votes, the reduction made on motion
of Mr. Beck IN February, 1888, re-
cciying, however, only nine Republic
can votes in the Senate. The Hcnier-
aon bill, introduced in the House Of
representatives in March, 1851, to
abolish the license on leaf tobacco r.
ceiycd very little support from the Re-
publican party. The great body Of the
suuporters Of that liil were Democrats
TENSIONS.
Judge Staples next dl.cu'sedpensions
Of fodcral soldiers. He showed thlt
more than $500, 900, 0o0 had been paid
ont since the war to Federal soldiers.
for which the South had been taxed
that the whole question was assuming
a magnitude and importance Of the
eravest character Mr. Cleveland had
vetoed one hundred and thirty pri-
vate pension bills, saving to the public
IF asuly -, 1000, eco or S6,0)3 900 annu-
ally. lie also vetoed the dep udent-
pension bill which gave pensi' Of
~ pcr month TO each soldier that hal
enlisted III the service Of the United
States for three months. 4 more tx
tryagant and monstrous piece of legls-
lation never disgraced the national
legislature. If it had become Il law II
would lave required an on lay OF
So. Geo annually.
Judge Staples pad glowing comp!l-
m,ut to the Administration Of Mr..
| Cleveland, saying ii was fortuult" for
! tllc cause Of truth and constitutional
| liberty that such a man could be found
to preside over the destinies OF tn re-
public III these days OF dcgeacrAcy and
decay.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The speaker next addressed himself
to tie question OF the public lands.
Some OF the figures given by the
speaker were very striking and interest
ing. The speaker said that General
Malone in his late pamphlet had cha
racterizcd fine Democratic party AZ a
fIee-iade party. 1t is difficult to I'M
! derstand how any man of intelligence
could permit himself to hazard such an
assertion. There is no free trade
party in this country, Free trade
means the interchange OF commodi-
ties between different States or ma
tons without any duty, impost,
or tax whatever. As long rs we have
$500, Gee, Geo to raise annually to defray
| the expense of the Government, 1t
must be done 10y duties on foreign
goods In laying these duties the
Democratic party advocates the policy
| 6 g "a ~
industry. This is the doctrine Of Mr.
jefferson Mr.. Polk in his Kane letter !;
Mr.. Clay, tie father of the American
system the Virginia, Ohio, and Penn
sylyania platforms. Judge Staples in
siitutod q comparison between the
Democratic and the Republican parties.
He discussed the rise, progress, and
history Of the Republican party,
and showed that it was now
and ever had been the enemy
Of tie South. The Republican purity
IS "A sectional party, and when 1t ceases
TO be sectional it will cease TO exist.
The Democratic party, on the other
hand, is national party, and under
the administration OF Mr.. Cleveland
the South had been admitted into a
participation in the Government.
southern men are now holding Offices
and positions in the Cabinet and for
eien Ministers positions 10 which they
had been strangers for the past twenty
years.
CEFCES AND BALANCES.
The Democratic party believes in a
government Of checks and balances.
Ii maintains the rights of the States
and the Just relations between the State
and Federal Government The Repub-
lican party, on the other hand, believes
in a supreme National Government.
It's teachings and its policy would oblit-
crate State lines. Under its manifold
actions and management the Senate Of
the United States is becoming pluto
cracy-a body of millionaires
The speaker closed with a splendid
eulogy on Virginia and her great men,
deprecatiDg the result of State with
such history surrendering herself to
Republicanism. He in words of high
est commentator spoke of Captain
Figgat's ability and faithfulness as a
member of the committee on Code
revision and of his valuable services in
| tho laef l ao1alatura Tho nauoocrat